Zafar Iqbal, Mohammad Zafar Rabbani, Muhammad Jawad Zafar.
Flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy: diagnostic yield.
Rawal Med J Jan ;34(2):148-50.

Objective: To examine the diagnostic effectiveness of the Flexible Nasopharyngolaryngoscopy in ENT as an OPD procedure. Method This descriptive study was conducted at the Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad from June 2003 to June 2008. A total of 182 patients who presented to ENT OPD with symptoms of upper airway disease were selected for nasoendoscopy. Flexible endoscope was used for examination of upper airway under local anesthesia and findings were entered in a proforma. Data was analyzed in SPSS 13. Results: Amongst the 182 patients 119 (65.4%) were males. The mean age was 45 ±18.272 years. The major findings in order of frequency were structural abnormalities (50.5%) amongst which vocal nodules were commonly seen (19.2%). Nasal pathologies were the next common findings (18.6%) followed by carcinomas of larynx/hypopharynx/nasopharynx (14.8%) and vocal cord paralysis (13%). Conclusion: Flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopy is a very effective diagnostic tool in patients with upper airway symptoms. The procedure offers flexibility in use and can be accomplished under local anesthesia in OPD setting.

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